film: waterproof vs non

[Shanarchy]

What is your film of choice? I've been using waterproof film from Faxxon's for a while. It's a good quality film.

I've been thinking though that non-waterproof film, being more clear, must have a better dmax/dmin or whatever you gauge it by. Would it be safe to assume that non-waterproof film would give the best results for halftones?

[JayzTeez]

I use waterproof film from inkjetfilm.net 

[Frog]

Short answer, yes, if dot shape and d-max is at least equal, a lower d-min is desirable.
However, the coating on the "waterproof" films is often more receptive to a wider range of inks.

[ebscreen]

Used to use non-waterproof when waterproof was 2x the cost.

Then everything switched around. Now I can't find a non-waterproof
that works worth a damn.

[jsheridan]

It depends on the ink in your printer.

Pigment base works best on waterproof while dye inks work best on non-water proof,

I use dye and non-water proof because I don't like the cloudiness of w-proof films, that and tape leaves a residue.

Just don't get ur non wterproof films wet or the dye will run.

[mavgraph]

It depends on the ink in your printer.

Pigment base works best on waterproof while dye inks work best on non-water proof,

I use dye and non-water proof because I don't like the cloudiness of w-proof films, that and tape leaves a residue.

Just don't get ur non wterproof films wet or the dye will run.

He is right. I have some customers who only use non, and others who only use WP. It's all about the ink

[Shanarchy]

Good point, John. I probably should have mentioned I use an Epson 1400 (dye based).

Which non-wp film are you using?

[Shanarchy]

[/quote]

He is right. I have some customers who only use non, and others who only use WP. It's all about the ink
[/quote]

Mav,

You sell both, which do you recommend for halftones on an Epson 1400 (dye based)

[Screened Gear]

Just don't get ur non wterproof films wet or the dye will run.

I posted this a while back. My non waterproof film after about 8 hours can handle just about anything.  Its Kimoto Silkjet film. I use a canon printer.  I have sprayed screen opener on them and the ink did not run or come off. Really amazing since screen opener will eat just about everything.

Here is the origianl thread....
http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,2707.0.html

[mavgraph]

Shanarchy,

The Kimoto Silkjet SC4 is the best stuff for dye based. If u need some samples let me know

[jsheridan]

Good point, John. I probably should have mentioned I use an Epson 1400 (dye based).

Which non-wp film are you using?

I'm using film from stuff for printers. Its the same film someone else sells here for about the same price, I'm paying $61 per 17" roll.

Its good film, haven't had to many stretching issue and combined with blackmax dye ink and refill carts I've kept my costs to about .65 cents per foot of film.

[JBLUE]

Different films have different dot gain when they print. So you should find one that has the least amount of dot gain when doing half tones if you have not linearized your printer or cant linearize your printer. It does make a difference on which film you use. Price should not be the focal point.

[sportsshoppe]

Waterproof --- Epson 3000
non WP seems to want to run I got a roll for cheap !!

[JBLUE]

You have to adjust your droplet weight.

[jsheridan]

the least amount of dot gain when doing half tones if you have not linearized your printer or cant linearize your printer.

This can't be stressed enough. Stock Epson printers, heck any brand tend to have heavy gain in the midtone range and fill solid above 75% as their main use was not intended for what we as printers need, accurate and perfectly produced halftones to burn a screen vs art on the wall.

Anyone who is even thinking of printing 1/2 tones really needs to calibrate and Linearize their RIP settings.

Accurip and Wasatch users, maybe other rips, allow you to enter tonal readings to produce accurate halftones from YOUR printer.
My old Epson R1800 was producing and exposing 3% tones on a 272 mesh.

You need a densitometer, go buy one or ask around to borrow as some have one.